International Medical Graduates: Coming to America

International medical graduates face a difficult road to practice in the United States.

One-fourth of physicians working in the United States hail from abroad. Studies show that these international medical graduates serve as a safety net in underserved areas and fill gaps in primary care. Yet the path to practice in the United States can be long and sometimes can end in disappointment. Here are the extra hurdles an IMG needs to clear, most of which are crucial to maintaining quality of care, but two of which—the limited number of residencies and observerships—could stand to be changed.